Why no 'Big Issue'?

[Richard_H]

Just realised that none of the street beggars and homeless folk that I've encountered here are selling copies of Big Issue.

Very unusual, in my experience, as usually wherever there are homeless and/or street folk, then at least some will find that they can raise money much more easily by selling Big Issue.

Does anyone know why there are none in HandSL?

[Richard]

I have seen someone with the new plastic folder of 'Issues' a couple of weeks ago
I think near the underbridge at the McDonalds at the bottom of the Wellington Square area_ _ _.
Personally I would rather give someone money for nothing than pay for a magazine I wouldn't read_ _ _
I don't understand how it can work, I mean who really wants to read it anyway ?
Ok, it gives prominence and dignity to people looking for help !!

Please excuse my ignorance !!

[raging_ape]

http://hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hastin ... -big-issue

You dont have to be homeless to sell it. You have to be homeless or housed and vulnerable.
The only place to get TBI from is Brighton (GBP11 or more train fare)
You don't get the money back if you don't sell what you buy
Of the cover price of GBP1.50, half goes to the vendor. But even at 75p a time, you have to sell a fair number to make a reasonable amount.
8|

[Richard_H]

Thanks Raging Ape - I wondered if that was the reason. And thanks for the link to the Hastings Online Times piece.

[Richard]

Today I saw two foreign-looking guys dressed with an over-jacket emblazoned with an official 'Big Issue' logo in Hastings
One was outside Morrisons at the Queens Road entrance
One was next to Cafe Nero in the centre of Town

They both seemed keen and 'proactive' in pushing their copies at the general public

[Insomniac]

I occasionally see someone selling the Big Issue by Subway in town_ _ _

I've never read the Big Issue once, what's in it?

[Richard_H]

Well, obviously it has a lot of news and features about homelessness, begging, and the reasons that people end up on the streets or otherwise needing to beg. In addition it has some very good reviews of books, films and other aspects of culture, and a very wide variety of feature articles covering many different things. John Bird, who founded it, is a firm believer in (a) providing opportunities for people to lift themselves up from the gutter, and (b) social enterprise. The magazine also always has a lot of job ads for people working in these sorts of areas. Next time you see a seller, buy a copy and have a look - only GBP1.50, and, as Raging Ape said, 75p goes to the vendor.